November 2007

MaryLu Phelan is a librarian at the Seaford Public Library in Seaford, NY and the facilitator of the local book group that meets there. In this interview, MaryLu explains that the most interesting discussions often occur when group members have mixed feelings about the book. She emphasizes how important it is for her to limit her input in the discussions and shares some anecdotes about how the group made meetings more enjoyable through the use of film and show-and-tell.

Q: Does your library host any book clubs? If so, are they based on a certain theme or genre (ie, mystery)? How often do the groups meet?

A: We have one book discussion group, which is not based on any theme. It meets approximately every other month, sometimes every month.

Q: How many members are in each group? How many men, how many women? What ages are most of the members? Are the groups open to accepting new members?

A: We have approximately 20 in our group. Depending on how many liked the book, anywhere from six to 20 show up for the discussion. We average about 15 per discussion. Most members are middle-age to senior-age women. If we do a book that appeals to men, we get a few. When we did a Jack Kerouac book, we even got a couple of guys in their late teens or early twenties.

Q: Who leads the book discussions? Are reading group discussion guides used?

A: I lead the book discussions (I am a librarian). We tried using outside leaders, but they didn't work out on a regular basis. If a guide is available, I use it for some of my questions.

Q: How are books selected? Is a new one chosen at each meeting, or are they chosen for a number of meetings ahead of time?

A: I choose the books. Sometimes someone will recommend a title, but for the most part I choose the books. I try to vary fiction and nonfiction, and I start each discussion with some background on the author.

Q: What were some of the best discussions or favorite books the groups have read?

A: The best discussions were when some members liked the book and some didn't. Unfortunately, those who don't like the book usually don't show up for the discussion, so this doesn't happen often. Some of the favorite books were The Secret Life of Bees, Girl with a Pearl Earring and One Thousand White Women. My favorites were Life of Pi and Nickel and Dimed.

Q: How are book club meetings kept interesting and fun?

A: I try to get the members involved. When we did How to Make an American Quilt, people brought in their homemade quilts. When we did The Code of the Woosters, I showed a video of P.G. Wodehouse short stories.

Q: What advice would you give to other libraries that would like to start hosting book clubs, or provide resources for ones in the community? What are the benefits to hosting book clubs at a library?

A: Every community is different. Some only like book discussions of award-winning books, others want something less demanding. Try a few different types of books to see which ones are the most popular.

Q: What general advice would you give to book club members? Any specific ideas for making reading selections?

A: I have no specific guidelines for choosing titles except that I don't choose books over 350 pages (many people don't read fast or don't have a lot of time to read), it has to be well-written and it has to have some basic themes or ideas for discussion.

As much as possible I like to take myself out of the discussion. People come to the discussion because THEY want to talk about the book, not hear me spout off. I try to provide some background and insight into the books and then let the members share their thoughts.

Q: How can book clubs better utilize resources at their local libraries?

A: Libraries have wonderful books that can help a book club, such as books that recommended titles to use for discussion (1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die) and books that tell how to lead a discussion (The Reading Group Handbook). Libraries can also interloan extra copies of your chosen book so club members don't have to buy them.

Q: Does your library offer anything special for book clubs?

A: Our library is small, so we can only recommend books for groups and provide copies of the book chosen.

A larger nearby library has a program that they call “Book Club in a Bag.” They have large canvas bags that contain 10 copies of the book and materials for leading the discussion. These can be checked out of the library for book clubs to use.

Q: Are you a member of a book club? If so, what do you enjoy most about the experience from a reader's perspective? Does being in a book club enable you to better suggest both titles and discussion ideas to reading groups?

A: I would love to be the member of a book club where I didn't always have to be the leader. Being a discussion leader does give me a small edge in recommending titles to other groups, but only because I am reading in a wider range that I might do on my own.

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